How much does it cost?

Restoration can vary significantly in time and complexity depending on the photograph(s) and the issues that need to be corrected. Because of this, it is necessary for your photograph(s) to be assessed, your specific requirements established, and a quote can be provided based on the time required. In order to submit your photo(s), please use the contact page. I will endeavour to respond within 1 working day.

A typical charge for restoring a moderately damaged photograph is between £25-£50, but this can vary considerably. Photos requiring only the most basic of correction can cost as little as £8, whereas heavily damaged photos - particularly where extensive areas of fine detail (such as faces) need to be restored - can cost much more.

Note that you are not charged per individual photograph, only on the time required to complete the project (whether that is 1 photograph or 100).

If the amount of time required to perform the restoration is less than that which was quoted, you will be invoiced for the reduced amount. If the restoration takes longer than initially anticipated, you will NOT be charged more than the amount you have been quoted.

What if I am not satisfied with the results?

Work undertaken is completely risk-free. In the unlikely event that you are not happy with the results, you do not have to pay a penny.

After a project has been completed, you will be provided with a sample of the restoration. When you are sure that you are satisfied with the results, payment can be provided and the full restoration will be sent to you.

Large projects may be undertaken and invoiced incrementally.

Can all photos be restored?

You might be surprised at just how many photos can be restored - and the best way to be sure is to submit your photo for evaluation (please read the section below in order to learn how to do this). Some images, such as those that are substantially out of focus, may be beyond what can currently be recovered to a high standard. But if in doubt, ask.

How quickly will my job be completed?

Most jobs are completed within 48-72 hours after a quote has been provided, following your approval to proceed based on that quote - and assuming that the photo from which I will be working has been received (physical or digital). Larger jobs may take longer, for obvious reasons.

I wish to send my photographs to you. How should I do this?

The quality of the restoration is very much limited by the quality of the scan/image being used. With this in mind, I recommend sending the original hardcopy photograph(s) to me to be sure of the best possible result - though you may provide your own scan, if you prefer, assuming that the quality of the scan is adequate. You may also wish to send me a digital scan in order to facilitate an especially urgent turnaround; if you live outside the UK and have concerns about sending your photos overseas; or in order to receive a provisional quote prior to deciding whether or not to proceed or send your originals.

When sending your hardcopy photo(s), please consider the following;

  • IMPORTANT: When sending photos in the post or by courier, please, please, please use a signed-for and (if you wish) tracked and insured service to ensure that there is minimal possibility of the photos being lost en-route.
  • You are responsible for the initial and return cost of postage.
  • Please ensure that your photographs have adequate packaging/protection. Small quantities of photographs should be sent in a card-backed or card-supported envelope (padded or otherwise) in order to ensure that they are not folded/bent in transit.
  • Photos can be posted to the address provided at the bottom of the contact page.

If, however, you prefer to provide your own scan of a photograph, these are some general tips to consider;

  • You should usually scan at 450 dpi or above.
  • In most cases, this will produce a digital photo with a resolution of at least 3,000 pixels on either edge - though very small photos may benefit from being scanned at a higher dpi value. It is much better for a photo to be too big than to be too small.
  • Do NOT use any filters or effects during scanning. Many scanning applications will have the option of providing additional sharpening, dust removal and auto cropping, etc - and they are often enabled by default. These features should be DISABLED, as they are irreversible and oftentimes significantly inferior to what can be accomplished during a manual restoration process.
  • If you are manually defining the scan regions, please ensure that all edges of your photo are fully visible in the scan - even if they are damaged. In other words, don't over-crop.
  • The preferred file formats are PNG, TIF/TIFF and PSD. JPG/JPEG is also acceptable. If you already have the image in a different file format, do not modify it further as this may introduce new problems - send it to me unmodified and I will let you know if there is any problem with it.

Again, if you want to be sure of getting the very best results, you can send the actual hard-copy photos to me directly and I will perform the scan myself.

I wish to deliver my photographs personally. Can I do this?

Absolutely. Please contact me first to arrange a suitable time and to ensure that I or someone else will be available to receive the delivery.

Can you restore my original (hardcopy) photograph?

This is purely a digital restoration service. A copy of your original photograph is made, and it is the copy that is restored - digitally - on computer. The original hardcopy photograph remains completely unchanged - though you can, of course, create new prints from the digital restoration.

Will my original (hardcopy) photograph be damaged?

No. The process of digitizing (or scanning) a photograph is completely non-destructive. Your original photograph(s) will be taken great care of and returned to you, as they were received.

Can you provide prints (hardcopies) of my restored photograph(s)?

I do not currently offer a printing service directly, though you would be able to take the restored digital image that I provide you to a professional printer. You would typically then be able to have that restored photo printed onto high-end archival-grade photographic paper - thus entirely replacing your original damaged photograph, if you wish. If you are particularly keen on me arranging for prints to be made, please contact me to discuss further.

I would like to learn how to restore my own photographs. Do you provide tuition?

If you would like 1-to-1 coaching, please submit an enquiry on the contact page.